Bruegel's hatchet

In Bruegel's painting Peasant Dance a hatchet can be seen on the sign hanging in front of the inn. Harmless enough, one would think - surely a hatchet is only signifying a trade?

Bruegel, Peasant Dance, 1567

But Rabelais tells us otherwise: It signifies a certain instrument used for cutting down and splitting timber. It also signifies - at least it did of old - a female frequently, soundly, and unceremoniously laid on her back. In fact every good fellow called the girl who gave him his pleasures my hatchet. (Gargantua and Pantagruel p 445)

This is not the only time Bruegel included a hatchet in his work:

Bruegel, Seven Deadly Sins -  Sloth

In Bruegel's Seven Deadly Sins series, numerous hatchets can be found. In Sloth, a hatchet hangs from a sign hanging about an inn. Inside people are drinking and a couple can be found in bed.

In Gluttony, the hatchet appears on the sign:

Bruegel, Seven Deadly Sins - Gluttony

And in Patience, a hatchet hangs from a sign, while underneath in the tavern is a prostitute with her customers and some dancing devils.

Bruegel, Patience